Mark 8:34-35

July 29, 2024

34 Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 35 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.

Mark 8:34-35 NLT 

To take up our cross and follow Jesus moves us beyond being a Christian in name only. The more accurate picture of a disciple is that of an apprentice. In the time of Jesus’ ministry, if an individual were chosen to serve as an apprentice to a Jewish Rabbi it would have been a high honour. That individual would have re-oriented their lives around three primary goals:

  1. To be WITH their Rabbi.

  2. To become LIKE their Rabbi.

  3. To do as their Rabbi did.

In the same way, in making the decision to follow Jesus, we are aligning our lives around the same premise of apprenticing under Him. We choose to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do as He did. But, if we are honest, we know this is easier said than done. That is why the spiritual disciplines are so helpful in our lives. They do not bring freedom in and of themselves, but they help point us to Jesus where life to the fullest is experienced.

At the heart of saying “yes” to Jesus is denying ourselves. A new rhythm we choose reflects the heart of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane when He submitted to the way of the cross by praying, “Not my will, but yours be done”.

What if you started your day with that same heartbeat? Who or what might be on the other side of your self-denial and submission to the leading of the Holy Spirit?

“Dear God, hear my prayer afresh today: ‘I’m all yours’. Lead me and guide me towards your will for my life this very day and may my submission to you allow others to experience your grace and goodness. Amen”